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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 55 "Bisping vs. Rockhold"
Nov 8, 2014 - 3:10:29 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 55 "Bisping vs. Rockhold"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

Eleven fights, and not a single one went to a decision. That's my kind of fight card, and UFC Fight Night 55 delivered in every way. We saw some excellent finishes, and a couple of guys on this card are clearly destined for better things. Let's take a look at what's next for the winners and losers from Sydney, Australia:

NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Luke Rockhold (13-2, 3-1 UFC) - The result was never in doubt, so it was just a matter of how and when Rockhold won. This guy is freaky good, and I honestly believe he would be 4-0 in the UFC if matched against a clean Vitor Belfort.

I see him fighting for the Middleweight Title at some stage in 2015. He really is that good. Weidman vs. Belfort is delayed until February, so it makes no sense to wait. Either a rematch with Jacare or a fresh fight with Yoel Romero make sense. I'd rather see both Jacare and Rockhold get a shot, so the latter option works for me.

Next Fight vs. Yoel Romero


Al Iaquinta (10-3-1, 5-2 UFC) - Iaquinta was tactically astute, and he seized the moment when it presented itself. The head kick, and flurry of punches that followed, were very impressive to watch. However, it's impossible to forget about the submission loss to Mitch Clarke earlier this year.

Iaquinta is very hit and miss, and still a work in progress. He has bounced back well from the Clarke loss with two successive wins, but can he keep it going against higher level competition? If he had also beaten Clarke I would be tempted to give him someone top 15, but I don't think he deserves it just yet.


Next Fight vs. Winner of KJ Noons vs. Daron Cruickshank


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS


Michael Bisping (25-7, 15-7 UFC) - He's failed in every big fight he's ever gotten, and there was no reason to suggest it would be different this time around. Rockhold dwarfed Bisping in size, and the talent difference between No. 5 and No. 9 in the division is huge. Bisping can talk the talk, but at 35 years old, he's never going to be able to back it up.

His stature as a fan favourite in the UK and Europe will never be in doubt, so he still holds relevance to the UFC as a potential headliner. He's probably going to be involved in the London card next February, if he's healthy, so it's all about finding the right opponent for him.

Most in the division around him are booked to fight this year or in early 2015. I doubt the UFC will match him up against someone not ranked, especially as a potential headliner. A fight with Mark Munoz was booked once before, so that's one they could go with next, but I like this one more.

Next Fight vs. Gegard Mousasi


Ross Pearson (16-8 1 NC, 8-5 1 NC UFC)- Just when I started to believe in Ross Pearson, that happens. He doesn't know when to back off, and is constantly susceptible to counter strikes. At 30 years old I'm not sure he'll ever be able to curb that instinct, and he'll suffer again because of it.

Credit to Serra and Longo, along with Iaquinta himself, because they executed the perfect game plan. Pearson expected the takedowns, but they never came. Because of that threat his forward movement lacked conviction. It's back to the drawing board for Pearson, but fortunately the lightweight division is stacked with plenty of other talent.

Next Fight vs. Erik Koch


WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE


Clint Hester

Great fight and was 4-0 before this loss. He's got no real concerns moving forward.
Next Fight vs. Loser of Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman

Robert Whittaker

Moving up to middleweight to add more power looks to be a great decision.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Luke Barnatt vs. Roger Navaez

Soa Palelei

Did what he had to do so it's back to the original opponent sometime next year.
Next Fight vs. Daniel Omielanczuk

Walt Harris

Stepped up on short notice after being cut early this year and did OK. He will get at least one more fight.
Next Fight vs. Ruan Potts

Jake Matthews

Justin Bieber's identical twin knows how to fight and have fun. Still undefeated and one to watch.
Next Fight vs. Kevin Lee

Vagner Rocha

He went away (got released) and came back again but still can't buy a win.
Next Fight vs. Ramsey Nijem

Anthony Perosh

He's older than me and that's saying something. Poor opposition but he proved a point. Nice win.
Next Fight vs. Francimar Barroso

Guto Inocente

Not good enough but might survive due to a lack of depth at LHW.
Released by the UFC

Dylan Andrews

Getting beat by an opponent is one thing but beating yourself is outright dumb. Schoolboy error.
Next Fight vs. Scott Askham

Sam Alvey

Took advantage of a bad mistake by Andrews and made the most of it. 
Next Fight vs. Winner of Jake Collier vs. Vitor Miranda

Vic Grujic

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ... Cut, Cut, Cut. Only kidding, he'll get at least one more fight.
Next Fight vs. Anthony Lapsley

Chris Clements

Another of the old boys and another win. Every fight could very well be his last.
Next Fight vs. Peter Sobotta

Richie Vaculik

Hard not to feel sorry for the guy watching him lose like that in front of his home fans.
Next Fight vs. Josh Sampo

Louis Smolka

He was heading for defeat and saved himself. Excellent finish but he's got work to do.
Next Fight vs. Chris Kelades

Dan Kelly

When you're as skilled as he is in one particular discipline (Judo), other lower tier middleweights should really take note.
Next Fight vs. Nick Catone

Luke Zachrich

A lamb to the slaughter but he will get one more opportunity to prove himself.
Next Fight vs. Bubba Bush

Marcus Brimage

If anyone needed a win on this card it was Marcus Brimage.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Rodriguez vs. Quinonez

Jumabieke Tuerxun

0-3 and clearly out of his depth. One of the worst fighters on the roster.
Released by the UFC

I'll be back very soon with another 'Fights to Make' article covering UFC Fight Night 56.

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan